Are you considering getting a new pet but want something other than the traditional dog or cat? While dogs and cats make lovely pets, not everyone has the space for them.
Plus, these pets can sometimes be high maintenance and costly. If you’re looking to bring a low-maintenance animal into your home that doesn’t take up a lot of space, consider getting a chinchilla.
What is a chinchilla? Are chinchillas good pets?
Check out this post to learn everything you need to know about chinchillas.
What is a Chinchilla?
Chinchillas are a species of rodent native to the Andean Mountains in Chile. They’re also closely related to guinea pigs and porcupines. (Don’t worry, they don’t have any harmful quills!)
They typically grow 9 to 15 inches in size, but their tails can add another 3 to 6 inches to them. Most chinchillas weigh between 1 and 2 pounds, making them very easy to transport.
Chinchillas are also known for their soft, luxurious fur. They’re very social creatures, and in the wild, they live in colonies with hundreds of other chinchillas.
Are Chinchillas Good Pets?
While keeping a rodent as a pet may not sound appealing to some people, chinchillas are beloved pets in many American households. Here are just a few reasons why chinchillas make such great pets:
Low-Maintenance Diet: Chinchillas mostly munch on pellets and hay.
Bathing Requirements: If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know how difficult it can be to give a pet a bath. The great thing about chinchillas is that they bathe themselves in dust! Bathing in water will strip their soft fur of its natural oils, whereas a dust bath leaves the fur silky smooth. Not only that, but dust baths also help relieve stress in chinchillas.
Lifespan: Everyone has a devastating story of a pet goldfish that only lived a few days. Chinchillas have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, and some can live for as long as 20 years!
Independent: Chinchillas are very independent creatures that spend most of the day sleeping. You never have to feel guilty about leaving for work and leaving your chinchilla at home.
Affectionate: Even though they’re independent, chinchillas are quite affectionate creatures. They’re naturally curious, and they love spending some time out of their cages to explore their surroundings.
You can check out this post to learn more about chinchillas’ personalities.
What to Know Before Getting a Pet Chinchilla
While chinchillas make great pets, they’re not as popular as cats or dogs. Therefore, you may need to do some hunting to find the perfect pet chinchilla.
Depending on where you live, you may need to travel to buy or adopt a pet chinchilla. Before you get a chinchilla, you also want to make sure there’s a vet in your area who can care for it.
There aren’t too many vets out there who see pocket pets, so it’s very important that you have access to a knowledgeable, experienced chinchilla veterinarian.
Are You Ready to Get a Pet Chinchilla?
Now that you’ve read this guide, it’s time for you to decide if a pet chinchilla is right for you. As you can see, there are a lot of great reasons to make a chinchilla your next pet.
You can check back in with our blog for more pet care tips and guides.
